No 3 (2011)

The paper presents analysis of the G8 and G20 assistance to developing countries in overcoming the consequences of economic and financial crisis. It assesses the G8's and G20's implementation of key global governance functions and highlights their engagement with international organizations. In conclusion the author gives recommendations for rational division of labour between the institutions in international development assistance.

The article examines notion, concept and structure of International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes as well as certain aspects of its activities. Article emphasizes and describes the main activity of the centre - administration of arbitration proceedings related to international investment disputes, which is a very important element furthering effective cooperation of States in resolution of disputes related to international investment relations.

London is among most culturally diverse cities in Europe and in the world. This paper will investigate ethnic cultural integration of immigrants within the city's social space. Firstly the paper explores multi-cultural political inclusion strategies of London administration, municipal service provision and policy and cultural integration programs both on the city level and locally in London boroughs. Secondly this paper raises the question of the initiatives of ethnic minorities, the issue of ghettoisation and linguistic segregation of the city and analyzes the impact of such integration on social city space. The paper also analyses the preparation to Olympic Games 2012 in London as they are presented as cultural cohesion element.

Regional restrictions of official development assistance and Russia new role and growing potential as a «new donor» in Latin America are studied. Several propositions on development assistance mechanisms and cooperation for effective social and economic solutions are formulated for Latin America and other countries of the world as well.

The author examines the actual problem of defining the nature of Belarus and Russia Union State (US) as unique international creation. The author analyzes different definitions that reflect variations of conceptual positions in the understanding of the essence of the State Union and offer his own definition of US.

The purpose of the article is to define how home debates on international issues influence a state's foreign policy. This task was undertaken on the pattern of Britain's policy in the Balkans in the late 19th/early 20th century. The author examines the role played by the radicals (left-wing liberals) in formulating Britain's approaches to the Eastern question. It is stated that the interaction between the Foreign Office and the radicals rendered British policy in the Balkans more flexible.

The article presents the analysis of dynamics of foreign trade of the Peoples Republic of China, shifts in geographical and commodity structure of export and import since 1995 until present. Their influence on change of country's position in world economy and international trade is revealed. Analyzing the statistical data, authors come to a conclusion that modernization and transparency of economy, expansion of foreign economic relations, considering direct correlation of rates of gross domestic product (GDP) and rates of development of foreign trade of the country, have led to essential strengthening of China's position in world production of manufacturing industry, in world economy, and international trade.

The author shows the complexities of interaction that existed between the international system as a whole and the sub-system or region. The author examines the structuralism approach to the understanding of core-periphery relations and illustrates the dynamics of these relations during the Cold War and the limitations of superpowers involvement in the region.